Student Financial Aid

From a variety of agencies, federal grants are intended to help students meet education-related expenses. Unlike loans, you do not repay grants.

Pell Grant
Provides funds for eligible students of up to $7,395 for each undergraduate year for full-time or part-time enrollment. Requires FAFSA completion. Grant award determined by the U.S. Department of Education.

IMPORTANT CHANGE: Students have limited eligibility to receive a Federal Pell Grant equal to the equivalent of six years or 12 full-time semesters. Through the Pell Grant Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU) law, the assessed value is a percentage: 100% for each year at full time. When you reach 600%, you are no longer eligible to receive Federal Pell Grants regardless of when or where you received your first Pell Grant.

You can check your Pell LEU at https://studentaid.gov/

REQUIREMENTS: Show financial need as determined by U.S. Department of Education; be enrolled as a regular degree-seeking student; be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.; be an undergraduate student.

APPLICATION: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA School Code is 002057.

DEADLINE: Apply in January of the year that college entry is planned.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)
Provides grant assistance from $100 to $4,000 per academic year of undergraduate study.

REQUIREMENTS: Show exceptional financial need with priority given to Federal Pell Grant recipients; be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.; be an undergraduate student.

APPLICATION: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). FAFSA School Code is 002057.

DEADLINE: Apply in early January of year that college entry is planned.

IRAQ/Afghanistan Service Grant
Provides grant funds for students who are ineligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant up to $6,895. You may receive the grant each year during undergraduate study for full-time or part-time enrollment. Your parent or guardian must be a member of the U.S. Armed Forces who died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after 9/11/2001.

REQUIREMENTS: Show financial need as determined by the U.S. Department of Education; be enrolled as a regular degree-seeking student; be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.; be an undergraduate student; be under 24 years old or enrolled in college at least part-time at the time of parent's or guardian's death.

APPLICATION: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  FAFSA School Code is 002057. Students must also submit the Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy® & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Application through our Student Financial Aid Office.

DEADLINE: Complete the FAFSA in January of the year that college entry is planned. Complete the Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy® & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Application before July 15.

MARYLAND RESIDENTS
If you live in Maryland, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) offers:

• Guaranteed Access Grants
• Educational Assistance Grants
• Delegate Scholarships
• Senatorial Scholarships
• Maryland Promise Scholarships
• Tuition Waiver for Foster Care Youth

  The State of Maryland grants a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees to students who meet the definition of a foster care youth:  

  • Youth was placed in out-of-home placement by the Maryland Department of Human Services and resided in an out-of-home placement on the individual’s 18th birthday or at the time of graduation from high school or upon successful completion of the General Education Development (GED) examination; OR
  • Youth resided in an out-of-home placement for at least one year on or after the individual’s 13th birthday and entered into guardianship, was adopted, or reunited with at least one of the individual’s parents; OR
  • Youth was/is the younger sibling of an individual who met the qualifications outlined above, and was concurrently placed into the same guardianship by the same parent, or was adopted by the same adoptive family with the older sibling.

     

    Students must:

    • complete the FAFSA each year (or MSFAA if you cannot complete the FAFSA)
      - the MSFAA must be completed before March 1 each year
    • complete the ACM Foster Youth Application
    • be enrolled on or before the age of 25
    • be enrolled in a certificate or A.A. degree

    
    Students who receive information that they do not meet the definitions listed above have the right to appeal that decision. Please contact the Allegany College of Maryland Homeless and Foster Student Liaison (Ms. Vicki Smith) at vsmith@allegany.edu for more information on this waiver or for instructions on how to appeal a decision.

  • Tuition Waiver for Unaccompanied Homeless Youth
    The State of Maryland grants a waiver of tuition and mandatory fees to students who meet the definition of an unaccompanied homeless youth:
    • Youth had a consistent presence in the state of Maryland for at least one year before enrollment in a public institution of higher education that is documented by school, employment, or other records; and
    • Has been verified as a homeless child or youth, as defined by the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, at any time during the 24 months immediately preceding the student’s enrollment in a public institution of higher education or while the student is enrolled in a public institution of higher education.

      
      The McKinney-Vento Homeless Act defines homeless children as "individuals who lack fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence."
      
      

      Students must:

      • complete the FAFSA each year (or MSFAA if you cannot complete the FAFSA)
        - the MSFAA must be completed before March 1 each year
      • complete the ACM Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Application 
      • be enrolled on or before the age of 25
      • be enrolled in a certificate or A.A. degree

      
      Students who receive information that they do not meet the definition listed above have the right to appeal that decision.  Please contact the Allegany College of Maryland Homeless and Foster Student Liaison (Ms. Vicki Smith) at vsmith@allegany.edu for more information on this waiver or for instructions on how to appeal a decision.

• Edward T. and Mary A. Conroy® Memorial Scholarship Program & Jean B. Cryor Memorial Scholarship Program
  
  This scholarship benefits members of the following groups or their surviving dependents: disabled or deceased Veterans, Vietnam War POW/MIAs, disabled or deceased public safety employees and volunteers, and 9/11 victims.  Click link below for specific eligibility requirements. The deadline for this scholarship is July 15th and applications should be turned into the Student Financial Aid Office at ACM. The award amount varies, depending on the amount of your cost of attendance and other financial aid resources.
  
  Deadline is July 15 for applications to be turned into our Student Financial Aid Office.
  • Conroy® and Cryor Criteria
  • Conroy® and Cryor application

  You must complete the FAFSA before March 1, and log on to MD Caps to accept State of Maryland awards.
  
  Visit MHEC’s website for a complete list of grants, scholarships, criteria and applications.

  Students may now submit documentation to the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) as required for certain state grant/scholarship programs, online through their Maryland College Aid Processing System (MDCAPS) account. "How do I upload my documents in MDCAPS?"

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PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS
If you reside in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) offers the Pennsylvania State Grant program

• You must complete your FAFSA by May 1.
• Take at least 50% of their total semester credits in an in-classroom setting.

If you attend our Bedford County Campus for at least 50% of your total credits versus attending our Cumberland campus, you will receive a larger grant award.

Visit PHEAA’s website for additional program requirements. Summer PA State Grants require a separate application.

For questions on all PA State Grant programs, please email Ms. Vicki Smith at vsmith@allegany.edu.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. RESIDENTS
If you reside in Washington, D.C., you may be eligible to receive grants from:

• DC Tuition Assistance Grant
• DC College Access Program
• DC College Success Program

You are also eligible to use funds from DC GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) if you were a participant.

If you were adopted through District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency and/or lost one or both of your parents in 9/11 terrorist attacks, you may be eligible for a D.C. Adoption Scholarship. Information available in the Student Financial Aid Office.

View the detailed information sheet here.

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WEST VIRGINIA RESIDENTS
If you live in West Virginia, you may be eligible to use funds from WV GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) if you were a participant.